"You've done enough for us... it's okay to rest now." The feminine yet ethereal voice sent a calming sensation over his tired body.
"I thought... I thought maybe avoiding the towers. I would get to stay with them longer. Maybe... I was wrong..."
[Time left: 00:09:16]
****
"Big brother, when do we get to leave this forest and live in the bigger cities?"
"Don't worry. Once I've saved enough, we'll be able to move to the city and even get to treat Mum. I heard those who returned from the towers gained special powers and will be able to heal Mum."
"What about you? Why don't you climb the tower and find a cure for Mum yourself? It'll be better that way."
"Huh? And leave you guys to take care of yourselves?"
"Of course! I'm big enough to take care of myself... and Mum! Are you scared, big brother...? Scared you won't come back?"
****
Scared... scared.... scared...
Blake, still on the ground, found himself succumbing to the illusions of the labyrinth. He struggled to break free but felt his body protesting heavily.
"You don't have to be scared big brother... I know you'll always come back to us! You'll never leave us alone in this cruel world!"
****
Tethering within the realm of unconsciousness, he felt a sudden spark from the words. "I made a promise... I made a promise I would come back... and I'm going to keep true to my words!"
His once-waning strength was beginning to surge. Amidst the protest, he felt his resolve strengthening. It doesn't have to end here. As far as he still had breath, he would push forward.
He can't back down now, not when he had come this far!
His once closed eyes shot open with a strong resolve burning deep within.
[Time left: 00:07:00]
The time floating before him further strengthened his resolve. "I still have time." Digging his fingers into the ground, he pushed his body forward. Unable to feel his legs, he didn't let that discourage him. Crawling within the vast labyrinth, though painstakingly slow, he could finally make it out.
It appeared he had been on the right track after all. Seeing the exit just a few metres away, he couldn't help but let out a weak smile.
[Time left: 00:05:11]
I would be able to cover this before the time runs out. Pushing forward, he continued, his fingers bleeding from the continuous effort in digging into the ground. He watched as a few passed through exit their expression one of relief. It appeared that once they passed the exit, they got whisked away by a blinding light.
Blake paid no heed to the stare directed at him. A few had hesitated, some wanting to help while others with dark thoughts directed at him. None eventually came his way, thinking he won't make it.
[Time left: 00:02:04]
"C'mon, I can do it." Gritting his teeth, he increased his pace, bearing through the drowsiness and pain recking all over his body. The few metres felt like a thousand miles, yet he didn't give up. He kept on pressing ahead.
[Time left: 00:00:19]
Finally, with one last pull, he passed through the exit, his vision momentarily blinded by the shining lights.
[Congratulations to Blake Allsworth. You've passed the test...]
[You'll be teleported back to the hall and prepare ahead for the next test... healing has already commenced]
Opening his eyes, he found himself back in the hall. Staring at the ceiling, he remained in that position with the Window floating before his face. He felt the sickening pain and all vanished, causing a soft breath to escape his mouth
[You've received the poison resistance skill... you've gained a title, "The Unbroken one"]
---> The Unbroken one [Title perks]: Passive ability to remain calm and focused in chaotic situations. +20% increase in endurance.
[Unique]: A unique perk of absorbing life–threatening attacks for five seconds without taking damage.
System status.
[Name: Blake Allsworth]
[Race: Human]
[Ability: Degeneration]
[Class: N/A]
[Title: The Unbroken One]
[Rank: Mortal]
[Level: 8]
[Mana: 80]
[Battle Power: 27]
[Intelligence: 18]
[SKILLS]
--> Damage Augmentation, Damage Empowerment, invisible Dash, Damage Inducement.
---> Damage Augmentation: Increases the damage dealt to a target by physical contact.
---> Damage Empowerment: The user becomes more powerful after being damaged by his opponents. The boost the user gets depends on the damage received. [Automatically activates]
Maximum boost: +40% boost to all stats when heavily damaged.
---> Damage Inducement: Can induce physical damage on targets through physical contact.
--> Blade Art lvl 1: Allows the user to adapt and learn various bladed weapons quickly.
--> Resilient Body lvl 2: Increases stamina and endurance, allowing for more damage.
---> Invisible Dash lvl 1: Enables the user to dash within a short distance while becoming temporarily invisible.
---> Poison Resistance lvl 1: The user becomes resistant to the effects of poison. The user also gets a faster rate of detoxification, allowing for quick recovery from poison–induced effects.
Looking at his skills, he let out a tired breath before slowly rising from the ground. Staring at those that survived, he couldn't help but shake his head. The remaining survivors had decreased once again. Amongst them, he saw Kent slowly making his way towards him.
"Miriam would be proud of you." He said with a cocky grin. "To think you would make it this far for a kid your age, I'm truly impressed."
Blake suddenly realised he was the youngest out of the lot. Letting out a weak smile, he settled on the ground once more. "My family, the hope of seeing my family... that's what has been pushing me forward."
"Ohh. I see. Same here. Well, better prepare for the next test. I'm pretty sure it's also gonna be individual. Too bad, kiddo. we couldn't do this together. But seeing how far you've come, I think nothing is gonna stop you." Kent said, ruffling his head.
"Remember what I said? Let's make it out alive... together... and meet up with that blue haired witch!"
"Huh? Blue–haired witch?" Blake muttered, staring at him, before his eyes glow in recognition. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
[Test is finally over... Calculating number of Candidates left...]
[198 Candidates left]
[Preparing next test...]
[Congratulations to y'all for making it this far. The next test... all aurvivors will be tasked to battle against themselves...]
"Battle? Against ourselves?" There were a few mumbling, while others had long discarded the thoughts of voicing out, knowing it won't amount to anything.
Blake listened with a frown slowly forming across his face. Yet, he waited patiently for the voice to complete its statement.
[The remaining survivors are tasked to battle the dark version of themselves to death and emerge as the winner...]
[All restrictions placed on survivors' abilities/class have been lifted... you can participate with your full strength...]
[Get ready... test will begin in ten seconds]
"Pheew. Battle a dark version ourselves. That's better, right?" Blake muttered, staring at Kent.
Tsk. "I don't know what to say about this... don't let your guard down. I feel this isn't going to be as easy as it's said." Kent said, preparing himself.
[Test has now begun... brace yourselves]